City threats to tow away my truck
 

My 78 is sitting in the street in front of my house. The front end is smashed pretty bad from the person who hit me head on a few months ago.

There's this lady down the street that has a weird fetish for reporting cars in the neighborhood that are in less than great mechanical shape or have not moved for some time. I know of 3 cars on our road that have been towed off an impounded because of this. I don't have any proof of this but I have a damn good hunch that it's her.

Today there was an orange sticker on the truck saying the vehicle will be removed in 48 hours.

The soonest my dads friend can come with a trailer and tow it to his barn is on this coming Monday. The sticker was placed on the truck today 3/14/07 at 1:00PM. I'm going to call the number on the sticker tomorrow and see if I can work something out with them. My dad left a message but they never called back. I'm gonna try to bargain with them on this.

Should I tell them that the truck is still under insurance investigation and it cannot be moved? Should I say that arrangements have been made to have it removed, but the earliest that can happen is this coming monday ?

What if the tow truck driver comes? The last thing I want is a confrontation with a tow truck driver, because I know it's going to get very ugly very quickly with the possibility of me getting in trouble for my attempts to stop my truck from being towed.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

could always block it in...

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

yes block it in, that what i do when people cant mind there own. Iv also put it im my yard. Iv also covered it. Also had and idea to lock a chain around rear to something so if the pull it they break it and they pay.

I to have that noisy old lady problem iv had cops stop and say something and iv told them iv cleaning it up and workin on it slowly, I am only one person.
Lately shes left me alone about it cause she knows if she complain something may just make her car stop working (im on of those mess with me i mess with you people) shes been nice latley tho. Just thought i say what ive done

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

i too have nosey neighbors. when they complain (usually directly to my face) i kindly remind them of the 15 year old, run down camper that sits beside their house, or in the case of the other neighbor the Lincoln that sits there on flat tires. they generally shut up. haha

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

I love living in the country with gear-heads for neighbours, LOL

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Pyro

Hopefully some of these ideas work out for you. But if the tow guy does come, keep a cool head and take it easy on him. He's just out doing his job. Plus, if you're level headed with him, he might be willing to cut you some slack or a deal. Last time my ride was about to get towed, the driver let me pay him a little cash and keep my ride where it stood.

Good luck man.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

As long as that truck is parked on a public road, they have the right to tow it. Is there a way to get it in your yard or driveway? Every time the little old nosey lady drives by just stand there and give her a sadistic stare. If you do that enough, she might look the other way. :lol:

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

If its registered and insured can they tow it?

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

If it's seriously wrecked and undrivable then yes they can tow it. All it takes is one person to complain, which has happened, and they will be on it.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

If I had cars on my street that were undriveable, smashed up, and just sitting there without being used...I too would be pissed. As a homeowner, one has quite a bit of money tied up in their house, and if your neighboring houses and area in general are turning into the slums and not being taken care of, that can hurt your home value and potentially cost you money or even a sale should you decide it is time to sell your home. A lot of people don't understand this because they more than likely don't own their own home or have thousands upon thousands of dollars invested in sometings that could potentially lose value based on the actions of others.

With that being said, I would not call the police on you if you were my neighbor, I would come talk to you in person and express my concern.

Why can't you park the vehicle in your driveway, garage, or even back yard? Is it not feasable for you to fix the truck? Doesn't your insurance cover the damages from the accident so you can get it fixed? If you truck has been sitting there for two whole months since the accident, I can totally see your neighbors point...but don't agree with how she is handling it.

People in my area can get in trouble for not maintaining their lawn...and the grass (or weeds at this point) can't be above a certain height. You would be surprised at all the stipulations and regulations pertaining to subjects like this.

Don't take offense to anything here, just giving you a different point of view to look at. If you don't own a house yet, when you do someday, it will make more sense.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Yeah I understand the whole house value thing. The wreck was not my fault though and being at away at school and my dad working odd hours doesn't speed up the insurance process or getting it moved to a place where we can work on it. I really would like to find out who it is so I can talk to them and let them know exactly what the circumstances are and maybe come to some agreement whether it's just putting a tarp over the front of the truck or a little more time to move it. Yeah, it's been months with the truck sitting here. If whoever it was had come forward and talked to us and given us fair warning to get it moved before calling the police, that would be a hell of a lot nicer.

The accident was a head on at about 35-40MPH. Me and the offending vehicle going about the same speed. The front end is smashed BAD. The lower radiator hose is torn, transmission cooler lines snapped, flex fan bent to hell, sheet metal pushed into one of the front wheels.

Even if I did get it to the point where I could start the engine up and steer it and limp it up into the driveway. I'd still have dexcool spewing everywhere.

It is still registered and insured, but the inspection is out. Does this give me any protection if it's up in the driveway ?

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

In MN, you can have your truck in the driveway in that condition without any problems...BUT it has to have current license tabs on it...or you are back to square one. Contacy the county or city courthouse you live in and see what they can tell you.

I suggest getting it moved and into the driveway or back yard...pry the metal away from the smashed fender, and push or pull it out of the street.

I am sure it is only one person who complained, but I bet there are many more neighbors that would like to see it moved too.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Move it to a driveway or onto your lot for the weekend. That tow driver will get it unless you do. The street is his domain.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

I would try to get it moved per the deadline, even if you "strike a deal" with the city they may have already contacted the tow company as it's a done deal then.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Push, pull, or drag it or the "man" will take it. Phone calls may be too late. Call your own tow truck and move it. It's worth it if you want to keep it.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Hey, maybe you'll get lucky and the tow truck is actually from "Overhaulin" and you'll get Foosed - - SWEET!

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

id move it they can and will tow it. another thought how about getting some rubber line and hose clamping a loop so the trans fluid dont spit anywhere and just limp it in.. another thought could ya put it on a dolly and push it in?

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Man that truck could really use the Foose treatment. :D The truck definitely has some history and a story to go with it. They'd have a hell of a job to do though.

Oh well, gonna bite the bullet and have a wrecker take it out to the barn today. Even if it was in my driveway I still dont have a leg to stand on because the inspection is out. Found a good deal on a wrecker though thats less than the city of austin rape...err...rate.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Hm, that stinks. People are more cooperative when spoken to across the barrel of a gun. Just something to think about ;)

My parents' neighborhood has a rule that only one 3/4 ton+ truck can be in the driveway.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Port St Lucie, FL actually passed a law stating that no pickup trucks were allowed, period. its been years ago, and it didnt last long.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

I'm with Russell. I've only got two neighbors and one of them's got a complete wrecking yard's worth of scrap cars out back of his place.

It's to the point out here that the only thing I've got to worry about with my neighbors is if I go pop some rounds off in my back yard, I might have to share targets!!

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Thanks for the replies guys. The wrecker came and got the truck and it's on it's way out to the barn where it can be worked on in peace.

...And to the lady down the street....$#@% YOU!!!! :D

I'd like to get some cheap ass car, but that will run and drive and will pass inspection. I'd paint it super hot pink and poop brown, maybe with yellow polka dots on it. Maybe a really high daytona/superbird wannabe wing riveted to the trunk too. I'd paint the wheels black and yellow checkered like the crash test cars. Whats awesome about this combo is that it's MUCH worse than an old wrecked chevy truck and they CANT DO ANYTHING about it. Too bad I dont have that much time on my hands and money to waste. :hm:

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

i dont know about tx, but in KY if it cant be reached from the street or your driveway, its not touchable, even to a repo man

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Pull off the fenders & doors & hood & tailgate. Hang them on the fence in decorative fashion. No fence? Build you one. With fenders & doors & hoods & tailgates. Have a fence-raising party, with paint of many colors, and beer.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

that would be funny

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

In Maryland if it is in your yard and the gate has a lock on it they can not come in and get it. If it is in the driveway you must have tags on it or a good cover over it. But if it is on the street it is gone if someone calls about it. I think you did the best thing and had it removed. I would get a old car or truck and open the headers and drive by there place at almost midnight and stomp it. Most states had a lat about loud vehicles after midnight.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Interesting. I lived in Bowling Green and worked for Warren County and one of the offices within ours was the Division of Environmental Protection and Solid Waste. I know for a fact that more than one "junk" vehicle was mandated to be removed subject to fines if it wasn't. This was for vehicles on streets, in driveways, in yards, etc. If the vehicles were broke down for X amount of time or deemed as "junk" by definitions within the County regs., they were subject to violation, fines and mandatory removal and it was inforced. I can't remember the exact time frame laid out in the regs. but it was very clear and utilized if complaints were made. Your remarks could still be valid though, as I don't recall anyone removing the vehicles from yards, etc. Just issued citations and court orders if they weren't. Have me wondering now if its a county-by-county jurisdictional authority or state wide or what?

I have also helped in repossession of vehicles for a recover company in BG. We never had an instance where we couldn't reach the vehicle from the road or driveway. There are steep guidelines to follow when working in that line. Typically though, it was get the vehicle first, then ask questions. If there was a problem, the recovery company, lean holder (typically a bank) and the "owner" of the vehicle handled all that.



About this particular event. I'm glad to hear you were able to alleviate the situation with minimal fuss.


C-ya

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

IN my state for the junk rule (this was important to me cause have a least 7 cars just sitting in my backyard) as long as we have a county sticker on them/have one they cant say anything cause were paying taxes on them.

Its a good rule i get to keep my cars and the county get to line their pockets.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

I know a group that would bring their VWs w/ stinger exhausts down there and make the neighbors happy.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Glad to hear you beat them before they got it. I live in Round Rock and Just got a formal complaint about working on my 84 Mustang in front of my house. Talk about PI$$ing me off.

Cant wait for them to complain about my 70 GMC Suburban parked in the driveway, that has not moved in three months. But all is current on it so they dont have a leg to stand on. Except perhaps if they get me on the Unsightly articles provision in our HOA.

Unsightly will be determined by teh board. This seems to mean that anything can be deemed unsightly. A bad paint Job, a dent in a movable vehicle or perhaps, the yard art I was planing on placing in the flowerbed. How about a nice fender or perhaps toilet bowl planter...

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

I hate HOAs ran by people that have to have things there way and have nothing better to do. Id go nuts if i live in one, un ruley mayham here i come.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

Luckily there is no neighborhood association here. Lots of people work on their cars around here. The police does have a specific number to report "abandoned" vehicles though. All is it takes is one person and you are screwed. As long as the vehicle is registered, inspected, and driveable you are safe. If they didn't like the way the car looked they couldn't say anything.

It's just stupid though that a neighborhood association could say "I don't like the custom paint job on that car/truck that I could never think up or afford and he's obviously getting more popularity points than I am so we should force him to keep it inside."

I understand these associations exist for simple things like keeping odd colored houses from popping up or a gypsy camp in someones front yard, but some of the stuff they trying to micromanage people for is just stupid. They are probably just mad that they can't change their own oil and that the sight of an engine compartment is just too much for their small minds to comprehend. A car up on a jack...change a tire....OH NO!!! Only AAA should be allowed to do that. No way the average person should even be able to tackle that task.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

well the thing is if you have certain hobbies i guess the idea is to just not buy in such areas... problem is when the HOS is the government and they think the subdivision is the whole da*n state!!!! if its not a gated community people should be allowed to do what they please ( within normal laws..)
now , Pyrotechnic, how about some pics of your truck since the accident ???

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

I love living where I live. I also live in Bowling Green. Only bg Missouri. My neighbors also build chevys so they don't care what is in the yard short of ford.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

smokeshow-- it may be a county by county thing, it could also be a city/county thing... i live in the county back a little backroad, so that may make a difference.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

You'll like Pennsylvania, a friend of mie had a couple of really old cars in his barn and the township told him he had to remove them. I'd be willing to bet that the person responsible for this predicament, ended up owning one or both of these old cars.

Re: City threats to tow away my truck
 

What if its in a barn ehy chould it matter cause you cant see them there in a building. O man if that were me i would have told the to kiss my A%$. And then dared them to take them.

(Iv told people Id burn my cars to the grond before im forced to give them away.)